New Barnes CEO Must Tackle Nook

Barnes & Noble Inc.'s decision to elevate its president, Michael Huseby, to the CEO slot answers one question about the book retailer. But the much bigger uncertainty, how Barnes & Noble will boost sales of its Nook tablet and e-books, remains.

In an interview, Mr. Huseby said figuring out the Nook was one of his top priorities and he said that the retailer no longer sees itself competing with Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc....